Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2009 Britannia |
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Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as Twenty-five Pounds (£25).
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.
In 2009, the Royal Mint re-issued the anniversary Britannia design initially used in 1997 to mark the tenth year of the Britannia bullion coins range, which was also the first issue of silver Britannias (they were only gold before). The design is known as The Charioteer and depicts Britannia standing whilst driving a two-horse chariot in the manner of the warrior queen Boudicca (Boadicea).
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with 8.23% silver. The quarter-ounce (1/4oz) gold coin was issued individually and in mint sets, in Proof FDC grade only. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 25 ' POUNDS '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
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Reverse | |
At centre, the standing figure of Britannia riding in a chariot drawn by two horses, holding the reins in her right hand and a trident in her left. She is wearing a Corinthian helmet, pushed back.
Around above, the inscription QUARTER ' OUNCE ' FINE ' GOLD ', and the date 2009. Around below, BRITANNIA.
The artist's initials PN (for Philip Nathan) are in the left field, above and behind the chariot wheel. |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | 770 individual proof coins, plus coins in sets. The sets are listed in Spink but not on the Royal Mint website; the Royal Mint only lists the total proofs mintage, including the coins in the sets. |
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